Image Source: X
Opener Finn Allen delivered a historic performance as New Zealand national cricket team defeated South Africa national cricket team in the first semifinal of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.
Allen smashed a sensational 33-ball century, the fastest hundred ever recorded in T20 World Cup history, breaking the long-standing record held by Chris Gayle, who scored a 47-ball century during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2016.
With this explosive knock, New Zealand comfortably chased down the target and secured their place in the tournament final.
Finn Allen Destroys South Africa in Kolkata
Chasing 170 runs at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Allen started aggressively from the very first over.
He dominated the powerplay with fearless hitting, racing to 43 runs off just 15 balls. By the end of the sixth over, New Zealand had already reduced the target significantly.
Wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert supported Allen early on, ensuring the momentum stayed with the Kiwis during the field restrictions.
Fastest T20 World Cup Fifty for New Zealand
Allen reached his half-century in just 19 balls, the fastest fifty by a New Zealand batter in T20 World Cup history.
Once he crossed the milestone, Allen accelerated further. In the next 14 balls, he smashed another 50 runs to complete his third T20I century.
At one stage he was 58 off 23 balls, and New Zealand needed just 46 runs to win. At that point, a century looked unlikely.
However, batting partner Rachin Ravindra played a smart supporting role by rotating the strike and keeping Allen on strike.
Record-Breaking Over Seals the Milestone
The historic moment came in the 13th over when Allen attacked South African pacer Marco Jansen. The Kiwi star smashed five consecutive boundaries in the over to bring up his century in just 33 balls.
This remarkable knock not only became the fastest century in T20 World Cup history but also placed Allen among the fastest centurions in all T20 internationals.
33 balls. 💯
— Possible11 (@Possible11team) March 4, 2026
10 fours. 8 sixes. 🤯
Finn Allen just SMASHED the fastest century in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history against South Africa national cricket team in the first semi-final.
Take a bow. 🙌🏻🔥#SAvsNZ #FinnAllen #FastestCentury #T20WorldCup #Possible11 pic.twitter.com/IO2fAwcoIR
Fastest Hundreds in T20 World Cup History
| Batter | Balls | Match | Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finn Allen | 33 | South Africa vs New Zealand (Semi-Final) | 2026 |
| Chris Gayle | 47 | West Indies vs England | 2016 |
| Chris Gayle | 50 | West Indies vs South Africa | 2007 |
| Harry Brook | 50 | England vs Pakistan (Super 8) | 2026 |
| Brendon McCullum | 51 | New Zealand vs Bangladesh | 2012 |
Also Read: ENG vs IND T20 WC 2026, Pitch Report, Head to Head, Playing 11, AI Prediction
Among the Fastest Centuries in T20I Cricket
Allen’s 33-ball ton also ranks among the fastest centuries in T20I history, joining elite names such as Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton and Sikandar Raza.
| Batter | Balls | Match | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sahil Chauhan | 27 | Estonia vs Cyprus | Episkopi | 17/06/2024 |
| Muhammad Fahad | 29 | Turkey vs Bulgaria | Sofia | 12/07/2025 |
| Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton | 33 | Namibia vs Nepal | Kirtipur | 27/02/2024 |
| Sikandar Raza | 33 | Zimbabwe vs Gambia | Nairobi | 23/10/2024 |
| Finn Allen | 33 | South Africa vs New Zealand | Kolkata | 04/03/2026 |
New Zealand Advance to the Final
Thanks to Allen’s spectacular innings, New Zealand comfortably chased down the target and secured a place in the final of the tournament. The team will now travel to Ahmedabad, where the title clash will be played at the massive Narendra Modi Stadium.
Meanwhile, the second semifinal will see India national cricket team take on England national cricket team at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 5. The winner of that match will meet the Black Caps in the final.
Also Read: How to Watch IND vs ENG T20 World Cup 2026 2nd Semi-Final Live for Free
Disclaimer
Possible11 is a sports news and analysis platform designed purely for entertainment and educational purposes. All match previews, player insights, and team analyses are based on publicly available information and expert opinions. We do not promote or support betting, gambling, or real-money gaming in any form. Users are encouraged to enjoy our content responsibly and use it for informational purposes only.
Give Your Feedback